More than 3,000 cosplayers will descend on Times Square for three days this summer to celebrate Japanese animation and culture. The convention takes place at the Marriott Marquis hotel and includes panel discussions, screenings, musical performances, lectures, talks, contests, nightly dances, vendors and family-friendly activities. The weekend is hosted by New York–based Liberty City Anime Con, which states that its goal is to promote Japanese anime, magna and culture, and to “get more people to read magna” (Japanese comic books and graphic novels).